hold up

To make someone or something late, or stop them from continuing for a time.

• Please do not hold me up.
• Heavy traffic held up the bus.
• What is holding up the repairs?

How to use it: hold someone/something up (An accident held us up for an hour.)

Similar words: delay, slow down, detain

Opposites: hasten

Common phrases: hold up someone, hold up traffic, hold up something

To wait briefly before continuing or doing something.

• Hold up! I forgot my keys.
• Can you hold up a minute?
• We held up until everyone was ready.

Similar words: wait, hang on

Common phrases: hold up briefly, hold up everyone

To prevent someone from continuing what they want or need to do.

• Do not hold us up.
• A phone call held him up at work.
• Why are you holding me up?

How to use it: hold someone up (The long queue held her up.)

Similar words: delay, detain, slow down

Common phrases: hold up someone, hold up workers

To rob a person or place by threatening people with a gun or another weapon.

• They tried to hold up a bank.
• A masked man held up the shop yesterday.
• The driver was held up at gunpoint.

How to use it: hold someone/something up (Two masked men held the store up.)

Similar words: rob

Common phrases: hold up banks, hold up someone, hold up shops

To do the part of an agreement that you promised to do.

• I will hold up my end of the deal.
• She held up her end of the bargain.
• Are they holding up their part of the agreement?

How to use it: hold up your end of something (You must hold up your end of the agreement.)

Similar words: fulfil, honour, keep

Opposites: break

Common phrases: hold up something, hold up your end